clepsydra

American  

[klep-si-druh] / ˈklɛp sɪ drə /

noun

clepsydras, plural clepsydrae plural

1. an ancient device for measuring time by the regulated flow of water or mercury through a small aperture.

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clepsydra British  

/ ˈklɛpsɪdrə /

noun

1. Also called: water clock.  an ancient device for measuring time by the flow of water or mercury through a small aperture

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• clepsydrae
  plural
• clepsydras
  plural

Etymology

Origin of clepsydra

1640–50; < Latin < Greek klepsýdra, equivalent to kleps- ( klep-, stem of kléptein to steal, conceal + -s- formative in derivation) + hydra, derivative of hýdōr water

Explanation

Drip, drip, drip. This used to be the sound of a clepsydra — a special water clock used by ancient civilizations. The clepsydra was an early and innovative way to keep track of time. It combines the Greek roots klept-, meaning "steal," and hydr-, meaning "water." The clepsydra worked by measuring time through the steady flow of water from one container to another — as if one container was gradually stealing water from the other. The clepsydra was used by the Greeks, Egyptians, and other ancient civilizations to time speeches, monitor cooking, and even keep time during court sessions.

Example Sentences

Empedocles performed his experiment with a household implement people had used for centuries, the so-called clepsydra or “water thief,” which was used as a kitchen ladle.

From "Cosmos" by Carl Sagan

As the sound of the bells died away, the last drop of water fell from the clepsydra and marked the hour of midnight.

From In the Yule-Log Glow, Book II Christmas Tales from 'Round the World by Morris, Harrison S. (Harrison Smith)

The clepsydra had already accomplished three turns, and yet I roamed by the railing under the dryandra trees.

From Hung Lou Meng, Book II Or, the Dream of the Red Chamber, a Chinese Novel in Two Books by Joly, H. Bencraft

King Gundobad desired to become the possessor of a clepsydra or water-clock, such as had long been used in Athens and Rome, to regulate the time allotted to the orators in public debates.

From Theodoric the Goth Barbarian Champion of Civilisation by Hodgkin, Thomas

Anxious to turn the channel of her meditations in another direction, she rose from her seat to examine the clepsydra.

From Wagner, the Wehr-Wolf by Reynolds, George W. M. (George William MacArthur)